Covered Suction Device

ABSTRACT

A suction device which can protected before and after use. The suction device includes an elongated suction tube having a suction tip at one end. A retractable, protective sheath is connected to the tube and extends over the exposed length of the suction tube. A tip protector extends from the free end of the sheath, and includes an interference structure in the form of a plurality of spaced ribs protruding inwardly to engage and grip the suction tip. A hollow sheath housing is secured to the free end and a sheath inserter is secured to the suction tube proximate the connection end, with the sheath housing and the sheath inserter being shaped to insert the retractable sheath in the hollow sheath housing when the sheath is in a retracted position. The tip protector and the sheath housing can be portions of a unitary structure.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/766,556, filed Jun. 21, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,867,190, issuedJan. 11, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to suction devices for medical purposes, and inparticular to a covered suction device with a retractable, protectivesheath with a tip protector secured to the sheath. A housing for thesheath, when retracted, is also provided.

Suction devices, for aspirating fluids from the body, are well known.Such suction devices typically include an elongated suction tube whichis connectable at one end to a source of suction. The other end includesa tip having one or more holes leading to the suction tube to aid inaspiration as the suction device is being used.

The problem with prior suction devices is contamination. Suction devicesare typically used over a period of time, and once first used, thedevice is contaminated. If the device is not protected in some manner,once it has been used, if it is laid aside for later use, it can furtherbecome contaminated by ambient contaminants, and transfer thosecontaminants to the patient the next time that it is used. Conversely,once it has been used on a sick patient, whatever ailment that issuffered by the patient can be passed from the suction device towhatever surface upon which it might be laid between uses, leading tocontamination transferred from the patient to others. It is thereforeimportant that the suction device be protected in some manner, both toprotect the patient as well as others.

In the past, protection has been by means of providing a sterile surfaceupon which the suction device can be placed between uses. While thatgenerally is satisfactory for largely eliminating passage of anycontaminants from the patient, with the suction device being open to theambient surroundings between uses, it still is subject to contaminationby the surroundings, with that contamination then being passed back tothe patient the next time that the suction device is used. Furthermore,once the device is contaminated by whatever means, returning it to asterile surface contaminates the surface, and conversely, once thesurface is contaminated, that can also be passed to a sterile device.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,142, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference, and which is assigned to the assignee of thepresent application, a covered suction device is provided which is asubstantial improvement over those of the prior art. The presentinvention improves upon that of the '142 Patent, providing a simplermeans to protect the suction tip and better means of accommodating theretracted sheath.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a suction device comprising an elongatedsuction tube having opposite ends. A retractable sheath surrounds atleast a portion of the suction tube, with the sheath having one endsecured to the suction tube proximate a connection end of the suctiontube, and the sheath having an opposite free end. A suction tip isprovided at one end of the suction tube opposite the connection end, andin one form of the invention, a tip protector extends from the free endwith the tip protector including a hollow tip housing and aninterference structure shaped to engage and grip the suction tip.

In the preferred form of the invention, the interference structurecomprises a plurality of spaced ribs protruding inwardly in the tiphousing. Preferably, four of the ribs are spaced circumferentially andequally in the tip housing with opposite ribs having a gap therebetweenno greater than the diameter dimension of the suction tip. In accordancewith the preferred form of the invention, the ribs may be deformable toappropriately grip the suction tip.

In another form of the invention, as in the first form of the inventionthe suction device includes an elongated suction tube having oppositeends, a retractable sheath surrounding the suction tube, and a suctiontip on the suction tube. In this form of the invention, a hollow sheathhousing is secured to the free end and a sheath inserter is secured tothe suction tube proximate the connection end, with the sheath housingand the sheath inserter being shaped to cooperate to insert theretractable sheath in the hollow sheath housing when the sheath is in aretracted position.

In this form of the invention, the hollow sheath housing comprises acylinder extending around the suction tube and the inserter is shaped tofit within the cylinder. Preferably the inserter is cylindrical, havingan outer wall spaced from the cylinder when the inserter is insertedwithin the cylinder.

Another form of the invention includes both the tip protector and thehollow sheath housing. In this form of the invention, the tip protectorand the sheath housing are preferably portions of a unitary structure,although they can be separate elements, as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail in the followingdescription of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, takenin conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational illustration of a suction tube according to theinvention, with the protective sheath being deployed,

FIG. 2 is an elevational illustration similar to that of FIG. 1, butwith the protective sheath retracted,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the suction device accordingto the invention with the protective sheath being deployed and beingviewed toward the suction tip,

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged view of the suction tip, similar to FIG. 3but from a different perspective, and having upstream portions of thesuction device beneath the tip removed for clarity,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but in an elevational view lookingdirectly at the suction tip,

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion of the suctiondevice according to the invention with the protective sheath deployed asillustrated in FIG. 1, with portions beneath the tip being removed forpurposes of clarity and with portions being cut away to illustratedetail,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial elevational view of the suction deviceillustrated in the FIG. 2, showing only the portion with the protectivesheath retracted and being cut away to illustrate detail, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the portion shown in FIG. 7, and showingcollapsing of the retractable sheath in a different orientation.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

A suction device according to the invention is shown generally at 10 inthe drawing figures. The suction device 10 is composed of an elongatedsuction tube 12 terminated by a connector 14 at one end and a suctiontip at the other end. The connector 14 can be connected directly to thesuction tube 12, or, as illustrated, the connector 14 can form part of ahollow grip 18 which is appropriately connected to the suction tube 12.That connection can be a permanent connection formed between the suctiontube 12 and the grip 18, or can be a mechanical connection, such a forcefit or a snap fit. The manner of connection of the tube 12 to the grip18 forms no part of the invention, but if there is a mechanicalconnection, an appropriate connecting device, such as a latch 20, can beemployed for connecting the hollow grip 18 to the suction tube 12 in aconventional fashion, which is not illustrated.

A retractable, protective sheath 22 surrounds at least a portion of thesuction tube 12. The sheath 22 is attached as one end to a sheathinserter 24, whose purpose is described below, and which is secured atone end of the suction tube 12, as shown in FIG. 7. The opposite end ofthe sheath 22 is secured to a unitary structure comprising a tipprotector 26 and a sheath housing 28, both of which are also describedin further detail below. The sheath 22 is shown attached to the exteriorof the sheath housing 28, and may be secured to the sheath housing 28 inany conventional manner so as to form a permanent connection.

As shown in the drawing figures, the suction tip 16 is an enlargement atone end of the suction tube 12. The suction tip 16 can be formed of asoft plastic material to cushion the tip when used, and is provided withan end aperture 30 and one or more radial apertures 32. Primary suctionis through the end aperture 30, but if that aperture becomes clogged,suction can be through the radial apertures 32. Also, the radialapertures relieve suction if the end aperture is inadvertently pushedagainst tissue, which effectively seals the end aperture 30.

The tip protector 26 comprises a hollow tip housing 34 having aplurality of spaced ribs 36 which protrude inwardly in the tip housing34. The ribs 36 form an interference structure to engage and grip thesuction tip 16. While any number of ribs 36 can be employed asappropriate, it is preferred that there be four of the ribs 36 which arespaced circumferentially and equally in the tip housing 34, with ribs 36opposing each other having a gap there inbetween which is no greaterthan the diameter of the suction tip 16 captured between the ribs 36.While the ribs 36 are preferably substantially rigid extensions of thematerial of the tip housing 36, similar to the formation of the suctiontip 16, the ribs 36 can also deformable. Formation of the ribs 36 andthe tip 16 is such that when the tip 16 is engaged by the ribs 36, thetip protector 26 is held in place by the ribs 36 on the tip 16 until thetip protector 26 is physically displaced. Other forms of an interferencestructure to engage and grip the suction tip 16 can be used, as well.

The sheath housing 28 is cylindrical and is considerably larger indiameter than the suction tube 12, extending around the suction tube 12as shown. The sheath inserter 24 is shaped to fit within the cylindricalsheath housing, as best shown in FIG. 7, in order to facilitategathering of the sheath 22 within the sheath housing 28, as describedbelow in further detail.

It is preferred that the tip protector 26 and the sheath housing 28 beportions of a unitary structure, and are preferably formed of plastic,although any other appropriate material could be used, as well. If thetip protector 26 and the sheath housing 28 are separate structures, theyare appropriately affixed to one another, such as by gluing, welding, orappropriate other connection.

The sheath housing 28 is where the sheath 22 is gathered when the tipprotector 26/sheath housing 28 is withdrawn along the suction tube 12 tothe position shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8. As best illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8, the sheath 22 is gathered in an accordion fashion in the sheathhousing 28, and interference between the bulk of the gathered sheath 22and the sheath housing 28 retains the tip protector 26/sheath housing 28in the retracted position illustrated when withdrawn. As alsoillustrated, the sheath inserter 24 is smaller in diameter than theinternal dimension of the sheath housing 28.

The sheath inserter 24 is cylindrical in shape with its outer wallhaving a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the sheath housing28 such that the outer wall of the sheath inserter 24 is spaced from theinner wall of the sheath housing 28 when the inserter 24 is in thehousing 28. The sheath 22 is preferably formed of a thin, plasticmaterial in the nature of a film which can be readily gathered as thetip protector 26/sheath housing 28 is retracted from the suction tip 16.Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the tip protector 26/sheathhousing 28 is fully retracted, the sheath 22 is appropriately gatheredin the sheath housing 28. This protects the sheath 22 from aninadvertent tear, as well as keeping it out of the way when the suctiondevice 10 is used.

In use, the suction device 10 is normally provided as illustrated inFIG. 1, with the protective sheath 22 fully deployed with the tipprotector 26 engaged on the suction 16. The connector 14 is thenconnected to an appropriate source of suction (not illustrated).

When the suction device 10 is to be used to aspirate fluids, the usersimply grips the tip protector 26/sheath housing 28 and slides it downthe suction tube 12 to the fully retracted position shown in FIGS. 2, 7and 8. The sheath 22 is gathered within the sheath housing 28 in thisorientation, and the gathered sheath 22, in the housing 28, holds thetip protector 26/sheath housing 28 in the retracted position. Thesuction device 10 can then be used. After use, the tip protector26/sheath housing 28 is simply returned along the suction tube 12 to thesuction tip 16, where the suction tip 16 is gripped by the ribs 36,retaining the tip protector 26 and sheath housing 28 in place. In thismanner, the suction device 10 can be used and reused, protecting thetube 12 and the tip 16 from either passing contamination to the ambientsurroundings, or being contaminated by those surroundings. The suctiondevice 10 thus provides an effective means of avoiding contaminationduring its use. Normally, after use, the suction device 10 is thendiscarded.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the sheath 22 is gathered withinthe sheath housing 28, the sheath 22 is collapsed and two collapsedorientations are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Since the sheath 22 is apliable film, its gathering may be more haphazard than shown in FIGS. 7and 8, but in any event, the sheath 22 is gathered in the sheath housingwhen in the retracted position.

Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from thespirit thereof or scope of the following claims.

1. A suction device comprising a. an elongated suction tube havingopposite ends, b. a retractable sheath surrounding at least a portion ofsaid suction tube, said sheath having one end secured about said suctiontube proximate a connection end of said suction tube, and said sheathhaving an opposite free end, c. a suction tip at an end of said suctiontube opposite said connection end, d. a hollow sheath housing secured tosaid free end and a sheath inserter secured to said suction tubeproximate said connection end, said sheath inserter being insertedwithin said housing when said sheath is in a retracted position, saidsheath housing and said sheath inserter being shaped to cooperate tolocate said retractable sheath in said hollow sheath housing when saidsheath is in the retracted position, with said sheath being gathered atone end of said sheath inserter, and e. with friction between saidsheath housing and said tube holding said sheath housing when retracted.2. The suction device according to claim 1, in which said hollow sheathhousing comprises a cylinder extending around said suction tube and saidinserter is shaped to at least partially fit within said cylinder. 3.The suction device according to claim 2, in which said inserter iscylindrical, having an outer wall spaced from said cylinder wheninserted therewithin.
 4. A suction device comprising a. an elongatedsuction tube having opposite ends, said suction tube having a firstdiameter, b. a retractable sheath surrounding at least a portion of saidsuction tube, said sheath having one end secured about said suction tubeproximate a connection end of said suction tube, and said sheath havingan opposite free end, c. a suction tip at an end of said suction tubeopposite said connection end, said suction tip having a second diametergreater than said first diameter, d. a tip protector extending from saidfree end, said tip protector including a hollow tip housing and astructure shaped to engage said suction tip, said tip protector having athird diameter greater than said second diameter, and e. a hollow sheathhousing secured to said free end and a sheath inserter secured to saidsuction tube proximate said connection end, said sheath housing and saidsheath inserter being shaped to cooperate to insert said retractablesheath in said hollow sheath housing when said sheath is in a retractedposition.
 5. The suction device according to claim 4, in which said tipprotector and said sheath housing are portions of a unitary structure.6. The suction device according to claim 4, including an interferencestructure which comprises at least one rib protruding inwardly in saidtip housing.
 7. The suction device according to claim 6, including fourof said ribs spaced circumferentially and equally in said tip housingwith opposite ribs having a gap therebetween no greater than a diameterdimension of said suction tip.
 8. The suction device according to claim7, in which at least one of said ribs and said suction tip isdeformable.
 9. The suction device according to claim 4, in which saidhollow sheath housing comprises a cylinder extending around said suctiontube and said inserter is shaped to fit within said cylinder.
 10. Thesuction device according to claim 9, in which said inserter iscylindrical, having an outer wall spaced from said cylinder wheninserted therewithin.
 11. A suction device comprising a. an elongatedsuction tube having opposite ends, b. a retractable sheath surroundingat least a portion of said suction tube, said sheath having one endsecured about said suction tube proximate a connection end of saidsuction tube, and said sheath having an opposite free end, c. a suctiontip at an end of said suction tube opposite said connection end, d. atip protector extending from said free end, said tip protector includinga hollow tip housing and an interference structure shaped to retain saidtip protector in an extended position encompassing at least a portion ofsaid suction tip, and e. a hollow sheath housing secured to said freeend and a sheath inserter secured to said suction tube proximate saidconnection end, said sheath inserter being inserted within said housingwhen said sheath is in a retracted position, said sheath housing andsaid sheath inserter being shaped to cooperate to locate saidretractable sheath in said hollow sheath housing when said sheath is inthe retracted position, with said sheath being gathered at one end ofsaid sheath inserter, and f. with friction between said sheath housingand said tube holding said sheath housing when retracted.
 12. Thesuction device according to claim 11, in which said tip protector andsaid sheath housing are portions of a unitary structure.
 13. The suctiondevice according to claim 11, including an interference structure whichcomprises at least one rib protruding inwardly in said tip housing. 14.The suction device according to claim 13, including four of said ribsspaced circumferentially and equally in said tip housing with oppositeribs having a gap therebetween no greater than a diameter dimension ofsaid suction tip.
 15. The suction device according to claim 14, in whichat least one of said ribs and said suction tip is deformable.
 16. Thesuction device according to claim 11, in which said hollow sheathhousing comprises a cylinder extending around said suction tube and saidinserter is shaped to fit within said cylinder.
 17. The suction deviceaccording to claim 16, in which said inserter is cylindrical, having anouter wall spaced from said cylinder when inserted therewithin.